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- In Europe, Ford offers a sporty version of the Ranger pickup called the MS-RT.
- In addition to a handsome body kit, the Ranger MS-RT sits 1.6 inches lower and features 3.1-inch wider front and rear tracks and improved suspension.
- The MS-RT is built in collaboration with Ford’s rally racing partner M-Sport and is available through Ford dealers in Europe.
From the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado SS to the Viper-powered Dodge Ram SRT-10, street-oriented sport trucks were all the rage in the early 2000s. With Toyota teasing the Tacoma XRunner concept and Ford testing the more athletic Maverick Robo, these lowered pickups may be on the verge of a comeback. Here’s a first look at the new Ford Ranger MS-RT. This factory-warranted upgrade is only available on European-market Rangers, but it shows what the ST-badged version of Ford’s medium-duty truck is like.
Most of the changes are cosmetic. The front bumper has been restyled with a wider lower grille flanked by vertical air vents and an integrated front splitter. The grille also sports a honeycomb look, and a ducktail spoiler has been added to the tailgate. This is also reflected in the spoiler on the roof, and Ford says these add-ons improve high-speed stability. The MS-RT also features aggressive side skirts with vents behind the front wheels and a redesigned rear bumper that incorporates a diffuser.
The Ranger MS-RT rides on special 21-inch wheels wrapped in 275/45 Continental ContiSportContact tires, the largest wheels ever available on a Ranger. Track width was increased by 1.6 inches on each side, necessitating flared wheel arches. Ford also equipped the MS-RT with its own suspension, including stiffer front dampers and a restored rear setup. Ford says the truck’s ride height has also been lowered by 1.6 inches for a more sinister stance and improved handling.
Inside, the more seriously reinforced synthetic leather and suede seats also feature eye-catching stitching patterns and MS-RT branding. An MS-RT badge also appears on the dashboard, and the steering wheel has a blue 12 o’clock marker.
There have been no engine upgrades, and the MS-RT uses Ford’s 3.0-liter diesel V-6 that produces 237 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. The motor is connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel drive system. Ford says the MS-RT still has comparable hauling and towing capabilities.
The MS-RT comes from M Sport, which helps design and build Ford rally cars such as the Dakar-spec Ranger race truck. The company has a history of modifying Ford commercial vehicles, and the Ranger was unveiled alongside an upgraded Transit custom van. The Ranger MS-RT is offered through Ford Pro Dealers in Europe and finished at the factory on Ford’s production facility campus. Deliveries are expected to begin by the middle of this year, but unfortunately these trucks won’t be arriving stateside.
Caleb Miller started blogging about cars at the age of 13, and after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University, he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine. car and driver team. He loves quirky and obscure cars, aims to one day own a strange car like a Nissan S, and is an avid motorsport fan.
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